Avalanche effect: Fewer Everest attempts from Nepal this year?

The icefall doctors of Everest, the hardy Sherpas who fix ropes and ladders along the route to the world's highest peak for benefit of climbers, have begun preparations for the coming spring season.

Updated on: Mar 17, 2015, 22:51:16 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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The icefall doctors of Everest, the hardy Sherpas who fix ropes and ladders along the route to the world's highest peak for benefit of climbers, have begun preparations for the coming spring season.

But the slopes of the 8,848-metre peak which witnesses a heavy rush of climbers every year during April-May could witness fewer attempts at glory from the southern or Nepal side this season.

It was while fixing ropes on the route for last year's spring climbing season when 16 Sherpas were buried under an avalanche on April 18. Thirteen bodies were recovered and three more still lie buried under snow.

The incident put an end to last spring's expeditions. The after effects of the tragedy, which raised questions on safety and better management, is likely to affect climbing on Everest this season too.

Two major companies from outside Nepal, High Adventure Expeditions (USA) and Peak Freaks (Canada), have already announced their decision to cancel their Everest expeditions for this year.

Following last year's tragedy the Nepal government announced better safety measures and higher insurance cover for Sherpas, but dithering attitude on extension of permits to last year's climbers has affected most expeditions.

Last year's avalanche forced 334 climbers from all over the world to abandon their attempts on Everest. Nepal government is yet to decide whether the individual permits issued last year will be valid for this season too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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